Beating Malawi to clinch fifth place at the world netball championships meant the Malawi monkey was off the backs of the netball team, Netball South Africa (NSA) President Mimi Mthethwa said on Sunday.Speaking shortly after the South African netball team beat Malawi 52-50 in a close and hard fought match at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, Mthethwa said netball had regained its position as one of South Africa’s premier sports.
Malawi has long been South Africa’s nemesis, beating them at the last World Championships in New Zealand, as well as at the last two Commonwealth Games.
Mthethwa dedicated the victory to former President Nelson Mandela, who celebrates his birthday on July 18.
“I think that is a fitting present from NSA,” she said.
“We are now fifth in the world, and that means we will be able to attract more sponsors as well government support.”
Mthethwa said one of NSA’s first priorities would be the appointment of a permanent coach.
The current coaching panel, headed by Elize Kotze, was appointed six months ago, and their term ends once the team returns to South Africa on Monday although Kotze had indicated she would be keen to stay on as coach.
“When we appointed the panel, we said we’d take them to the World Championships and see how they did,” Mthethwa said.
“I think they did very well. We will have to sit down and work out our strategy with the new coach.
“Because we finished fifth at the World Championships, we don’t have to qualify for the next championships in 2015,” said Mthethwa.
“Instead, we can concentrate on getting as much international experience as possible ahead of that.”
Mthethwa said there was no point in just playing countries in Africa and teams ranked lower than South Africa.
“We have found here in Singapore that we fall short when we play top teams like Jamaica and New Zealand.
“This is because we haven’t been exposed to them enough. We need to play the top four countries so that we can challenge them.
“We also need to keep the players together as a unit. They need to practice all year.
“We need to keep them together for the future,” she said.
The NSA president said she had held talks with Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, who paid a fleeting visit to the Proteas in Singapore.
“He told me to let him know what we need when we get back. He has expressed his support for netball, and so when I get back, I will sit down with him and discuss the way forward.”
She said that many people in netball circles had commented on the improvement shown by the South African team.
“It’s not just NSA that have noticed the difference,” she said.
“South Africa has gained the respect of the entire netball world.”
The Proteas arrive at OR Tambo Airport early on Monday morning.
Malawi has long been South Africa’s nemesis, beating them at the last World Championships in New Zealand, as well as at the last two Commonwealth Games.
Mthethwa dedicated the victory to former President Nelson Mandela, who celebrates his birthday on July 18.
“I think that is a fitting present from NSA,” she said.
“We are now fifth in the world, and that means we will be able to attract more sponsors as well government support.”
Mthethwa said one of NSA’s first priorities would be the appointment of a permanent coach.
The current coaching panel, headed by Elize Kotze, was appointed six months ago, and their term ends once the team returns to South Africa on Monday although Kotze had indicated she would be keen to stay on as coach.
“When we appointed the panel, we said we’d take them to the World Championships and see how they did,” Mthethwa said.
“I think they did very well. We will have to sit down and work out our strategy with the new coach.
“Instead, we can concentrate on getting as much international experience as possible ahead of that.”
Mthethwa said there was no point in just playing countries in Africa and teams ranked lower than South Africa.
“We have found here in Singapore that we fall short when we play top teams like Jamaica and New Zealand.
“This is because we haven’t been exposed to them enough. We need to play the top four countries so that we can challenge them.
“We also need to keep the players together as a unit. They need to practice all year.
“We need to keep them together for the future,” she said.
The NSA president said she had held talks with Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, who paid a fleeting visit to the Proteas in Singapore.
“He told me to let him know what we need when we get back. He has expressed his support for netball, and so when I get back, I will sit down with him and discuss the way forward.”
She said that many people in netball circles had commented on the improvement shown by the South African team.
“It’s not just NSA that have noticed the difference,” she said.
“South Africa has gained the respect of the entire netball world.”
The Proteas arrive at OR Tambo Airport early on Monday morning.
